ABC's take on the world

Boy Meets World, but whose world is it?

The increasing commercial muscle of the pre-adolescent demographic has wrought havoc in popular media during the last two years. First, the Spice Girls rose to the top of the charts. Most adults who like them do so tongue in cheek; that is to say, while acknowledging their musical mediocrity, they revel in their camp. But the people who buy the Spice Girls' albums, dolls, lollipops, coloring books and tickets to their movie are not adults. They are primarily kids, girls mostly, between the ages of eight and 13. These are the same kids who have bankrolled Hanson, the Backstreet Boys and a number of other baby-faced boy bands. And now, they're wielding their influence on the television networks.

Witness ABC's unbeatable TGIF line up. Friday nights on ABC are devoted to those old enough to stay up until ten o'clock, but too young to go out to the movies or the mall or to avail themselves of any other typically adolescent diversions. By catering to this demographic, ABC has secured top ratings for its two TGIF favorites, "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Boy Meets World." They are the second and third highest rated shows among girls, aged 12 to 17, according to Neilsen Media Research. Among boys in the same age range, Sabrina clocks in at the tenth highest rated show.

So little girls are the taste-making trendsetters these days. This is an interesting reversal of conventional notions of the power of women in society, particularly young women. The idea of network executives pandering to some skinny girl clutching a Sabrina doll is oddly appealing, an interesting example of one of the sexual revolution's more bizarre side effects.

But is it really so? Does showing young women a powerful, self-possessing young woman role model really seem so wonderful when that girl can't just be an ordinary girl, but must be a witch? A witch with huge boobs and killer clothes at that?

Consider "Boy Meets World," a show with a small yet fervent following-right here in Oberlin-of 20-somethings who supposedly know better than to be too influenced by television.

The recent story line has focused on the titular Boy, Corey, (played by Fred Savage's younger brother, Ben Savage) and his failed elopement with his high school sweetheart, the rather absurdly named Topanga (played by the overly buxom Danielle Fishel). Conservative wisdom led to the rating of television programs and films, telling us that we shouldn't watch Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers because we might kill someone. This new television for the 12-year-old set is safe, family values reinforcing entertainment. Right?

Hardly. What parent really wants to send the message to their young daughter that it is perfectly fine to elope after high school graduation? Sure, Corey and Topanga didn't tie the knot, but there was a typical soft, warm, sitcom wrap-up to this season's premiere. Corey's mother welcomed her one-day daughter-in-law into the fold, and Corey's father called him a man, an interesting comment on the series title and its imminent obsolescence.

What about the parallel story line concerning Corey's older brother Eric, who lives in an apartment with the older brother of Corey's best friend. The two 20-somethings are portrayed as morons-fine. What kid doesn't think their siblings are ridiculous? But recent story lines have focused on the relationship between these two boys and their new female roommate. Imagine "Three's Company," except Janet and Chrissy really want Jack. It's something like that.

They reduce this young woman to nothing more than an object of contention between the two men, in disturbing ways. And she loves them for it, thanking them profusely for their infantile displays of interest in her. She tells them that her ex-boyfriend was never so nice to her, and that she has learned not all men are jerks. Great moral of the story. If guys want you, then they're nice.

There are more disturbing twists in the plot of this show, which is generally well-written. It may not be a convincing depiction of an adolescent boy's life, but it has its moments of truth and breakthrough. Corey grapples with young love, always a difficult issue, albeit in an unrealistic manner. His relationship with his best friend Shawn (played by Rider Strong) is complex and layered. Shawn is basically an orphan, which allows audiences to see a child outside of the mainstream family unit, and the character recently opted not to go to college, another interesting decision for a sitcom character. This shows that there are other options in life beyond the most popular.

Certainly, these points might be a little over the top. If what I perceive as the overt homo-eroticism of the show hasn't offended the conservative watchdog, then the moral complications in the plot certainly won't strike them. Yes, homo-eroticism. The marketing of Rider Strong, from his ridiculously soap-operatic name to his wistful teen idol looks, as a sex symbol is unnerving. The fact that his relationship with Corey is as layered and complex as it is leads to a strange conclusion. Topanga seems little more than an accessory most of the time. Corey's true partner appears to be his best friend. This is to make no mention of the strange bonds between Corey's and Shawn's brothers, the afore- mentioned roommates. They settle everything by wrestling. Sound odd? Indeed.

I understand that television is not quite the influence the paranoia-prone make it out to be. Life rarely, if ever, imitates art, but art can be extremely influential in determining the subtle shifts in societal structures, particularly an art as widely available as television.

When I was younger, the television shows I watched said something about me. I loved "Silver Spoons," but probably only because I wanted to be a little rich kid too-who wouldn't want that train? I watched "Different Strokes" for the same reason-and I faithfully watched every episode of "Growing Pains" in which Leonardo DiCaprio ever appeared. I know what that says about me...

I didn't grow up believing that the rich have no problems, despite what "Silver Spoons" and "Different Strokes" taught me. But I did learn that being nerdy, like Carol on "Growing Pains," is not good. Too bad for nerdy little me, no? Television can be very powerful in terms of reinforcing such stupid ideas. One can laugh them off from the safe distance of a 20-year-old perspective. But if girls see Topanga's halter tops and fiancé, won't they equate the two?

It's a risk. I'm among those who cling fervently to the first amendment, who are grateful that Howard Stern and Pat Robertson are out there forcing their views down the throats of America. But even the most liberal of media observers must take note, or else, when the boys and girls of today do meet the world they are going to be sorely disappointed.

On the road of life: The road to sitcom happiness is truly paved with gold. Corey and family (top); Corey and Topanga race through life (below). (photos courtesy of ABC)